Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-03-10

coin. and when the war broke out his
church raised and equipped a regiment, the
First Long Island, In which MI Beeeher's
eldest son was an oilcer. His varied labors
al length told on bis health and he vent 70
England for rest and recuperafion. ne az
llvered a series OF lectures there on the war
IN the United States, and at q number OF
places he was received with demonstrations
OF hostility and opposition, which stopped
barely short Of riot, but many Deieve tnat
hts lectures we're o tower OF strengtn N
keeping England from recognizing the oon-
federate States. Soon after the close oil the
war Mr.. Beecher made visit TO the south
and was present at the raising OF the
national flag on Fort Sumter. In August,
1874 after some years of scandalolls re-
ports, Theodore Tilton brought his suit
against Mr., Beecher for improper relations
with Mrs. Tilton. The trial was opened In
the city court of Brooklyn, January 4th,
1875. and continued fully four months.
Judges Nelson, McCue and Reynolds pre-
sided az the trial. Mr.. Baecher's CT unset
were William NJ. Evarts, Roger A. Pryor,
Thomas g. Shearman, John X. Porter and
Benjamin. +. Tracy. Pitted against ih'm on
the side OF Mr.. Tilton were William A
Beach, w. A, Fullerton and Samuel d.
Morris. The jury was locked up for week
and could not agree. They stood to for
.aequittal when discharged.
With both pen and voice Mr.. Beeeher
ardently supported Mr.. Cleveland Ia the
campaign OF 1884.
try during his lifetime has had more written
about him has been the subject OF SO much
controversy; has figured In 30 many thrill
Ing Incidents; has had 80 dramatic u career
and has been the object of 80 much lavish
eulogy and bitter criticism as Henry Ward
Beecher. Whether history will accord TO
him the conspicuous place that his oontem-
poraries have given him Is q question, but
as to his widespread fame during his life
time there can De no doubt. He has been
one OF the most conspicuous men OF MS
age. But Notwithstanding all that b IS been
written about him, few outside OF Brooklyn
can appreciate the influence he exerted In
Brooklyn. He has been for years the most
powerful man In the City OF Churches. NO
movement there could long survive his OPP
position, and his corporation was always
sure to bring success. He made and I'M
made mayors. HIS support OF Cleveland
Is thought BY some to have eleet9i toe
President. His ward, which gave Garfield
big majority, turned right about and gave
as large q majority for Cleveland. aud
this Notwithstanding that many 10 bis
church wers closely Identified with
Blaine. Seven years ago tn, Republicans
nominated man for mayor distasteful TO
Beecher. The latter said nothing, but
simply withheld his support. Two years
was elected. There has always been an
anti. Beeeher faction in Brooklyn, q faction
| led by very able and wealthy mel, but they
nave never been able TO overthrow bin, not
1 sven with the aid OF the scandal which IL
| yeare aHD was the talk oil nation. He has
l lutliyeu all opposition, and has Tor years
4 ,-sighed smpreIns In Brooklyn. In his own
1 ,hurcb he has beel a hero and almost the
\ ,bieet III worthlp. This church In Itself Is
/ 1 power ul body It's membership OF over
| 1000 contains many Of the wealthiest and
| 1rainiesI men In Brooklyn. IL Is the centre
OF a parish OF about 1900 persons. who
| habitually or occasionally attend It's ser
4 vices or those OF its missions. II speaks
we'll for man that he could SO long retain
4 the admiration and affection OF 30 many
4 persons, through two or three generations.
There are many In his parish whom he
baptized, and whose children he has bap-
tized, and some 10 whose children's chill
dren he hos rendered like service. What
ever may be said-and good deal eau be
said-of his public career and the Influence
| of his public utteranees, 1t Is pleasant to be
able to say that stories Of his acts OF benel-
cenoe are very numerous.
Mr.. Beecher devoted the summer OF 1856
to lec.uring tour in Great Britain, preach
ing also frequently In Non-Oonformisi
churches. Upon his return he resumed his
duties in the pulpit OF Plymouth Church
and has been able to continue this service
up to the present time with his accustomed
regularity. Twice during the past year he
has responded to toasts at public dinners
| at the st. Patrick's Day dinner IN March
and the dinner to the artist Munkacsy, In
November, and 1t cannot be said that the
| last twelve months of his long life were
marked by the indisposition to mental and
physical activity which usually accompa'
niles old age. Mr.. Beecher wrote much fol
the dress, and has published many
I Of a.arx
lIRious subjects. He was engaged at the
time Of his attack on his "Life of Christ,
| which he was anxious to complete during
the coming summer. Overwork on this
book is supposed TO have contributed to his
Illness. Mr.. Beecher was OF medium hight
with broad shoulders and heavy girth SO
stout and feshy, in fact, that he looked
short In inches. His head was large, though
not bullying or Irregular. His forehead was
/ | high and his features were strong and full
| His color was high, his cheeks and neck
; being always full-veined and rudy. His
hair was gray, turning to white In recenl
. years, and hung In loose locks down on his
black coat collar. His face was alwayt
] smooth-shaven. His eyes were OF a grayist
blue, full of fire and expression In his mo
ments of feeling, always humorous and in
I | quisitive. Mr.. Beecher's Indifference II
dress and other personal matters EXTENDED
| to his money affairs. His salary had beer
Il
: i s20000 at the time OF the beeehersIiltoi
: trial. That year his congregation votet
Q him 100000, out of which, Of course, b.
= paid the expenses Of the suit. After tina
: he received 900 a year, as before. HI
! lecture tours were In the main profitable
8 and he got good deal OF money out of hi
/ books and newspaper articles. Some year
4 ago he sold his house on Columbia Height
/. and went to live on his farm In the Peekskil
q Hills. He had good-sized country hous,
i there, and the estate Is now OF considerable
Q value In the last few years his time Il
4 Brooklyn was spent at the home OF his son
y Henry b. Beecher, in Hicks street.
s Mr.. Beeeher's wife was born at West SUIT
. ton, Worcester county, Mass, in 1912. Sh
o was of English descent. Her father, Di
+ BullaTd, was physician. She was educate
o at Worcester and Hadley, Mass and Will
Q Mr.. Beeeher was at Amherst her brother In
Il vited him over to spend his vacation. Her
g she met him. The lovers were engaged 70
i, seven years, and were married In 1888
/, when Mr.. Beecher accepted his first call
8 Lawrenesburg. The issue of the marriag
Q was ten children, of whom four are at pres
O emit living-Ool. Henry B. Beecher, Majo
u William @. Baecher, Herbert Foote Beeche
Is and Mrs. Scoville, wife OF the Rev. Samu'
9 Scoville, of Stamford, Conn.